Barcelona are prioritising a centre-forward rather than Liverpool ace Gini Wijnaldum with Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero their top summer target, as reported by Eurosport.
Jurgen Klopp certainly shuffled his pack on Sunday.
But, as a much-changed Liverpool side took to the field against Fulham at Anfield, there was one familiar face amid the Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Xherdan Shaqiris.
Wijnaldum has started all but two of Liverpool’s 26 Premier League games in 2020/21, a pillar of consistency in a crumbling empire.
But, with his contract due to expire in July, Klopp may be about to lose his most reliable foot soldier.
Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have been tipped to sign the 30-year-old Dutchman, although Barcelona have never been too far from the discussion with Wijnaldum’s former Holland coach Ronald Koeman sitting in the Camp Nou hot seat.
Barca’s financial problems are well known but, given there are just a few weeks left on Wijnaldum’s contract, the chance to sign one of Europe’s most dependable central midfielders on a free transfer feels like an opportunity too good to be missed – even if the former Newcastle star’s wage demands may put a reunion with Koeman under threat.
According to Calciomercato, the Rotterdam-born enforcer wants £170,000 a week.
However, if reports are to be believed, Wijnaldum is no longer Barcelona’s number one target. That honour goes to another Premier League winner who will be a free agent in the summer – a certain Sergio Aguero.
Eurosport claims returning Barcelona president Joan Laporta is desperate to bring in a world-class centre-forward.
And with Erling Haaland out of reach, 32-year-old Aguero may be offered a return to La Liga a decade after swapping Atletico Madrid for Manchester.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
